Robert Mueller was on Wednesday picked as reserve goalkeeper for German first division ice hockey team Koelner Haie, after revealing earlier in the week that he is terminally ill. Mueller is suffering from a fast-growing brain tumor which doctors failed twice, in November 2006 and August 2008, to fully remove.

He went public via his doctor this week with the announcement, with the doctor saying that 70 per cent of the patients die within one year after the diagnosis and only three per cent live another five years.

Mueller has not been in Cologne's squad since April and was only nominated because the regular reserve goalie sustained an ankle injury.

"Of course I am happy that I can skate onto the ice with my team again and act as a back-up," said Mueller.